- September 15, 2025
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Siesta Key's Linda and Larry Keefe attend Men Wear Pink to support Pete Vosler, who lost both of his grandmothers to cancer.
Photo by Madison BierlLakewood Ranch residents Monique Govostes and Jane Bruyer attend the Men Wear Pink event at The Mall at University Town Center Sept. 17.
Photo by Madison BierlLinda Formella and Shirley Lane are breast cancer survivors who came to support Men Wear Pink.
Photo by Madison BierlJustin Whitman has been an ambassador for the Men Wear Pink event for last three years. His sister Alicia Shekerd died in June at the age of 32 after a 17-month battle with breast cancer.
Photo by Madison BierlFrank Padur chose to be part of the Men Wear Pink fashion show in honor of family members who have died from cancer or who are battling it.
Photo by Madison BierlBlake Fitzpatrick is a Men Wear Pink co-chair alongside Joy Mclean. He sports a rose suit from the Men's Warehouse.
Photo by Madison BierlJonathan Marsh lost a grandfather to liver cancer and an uncle to leukemia so he supports Men Wear Pink.
Photo by Madison BierlSheri McFarland takes video during Men Wear Pink at the Mall at UTC.
Photo by Madison BierlJoey Saviano, and Doug and Leslie Whitman cheer on Justin Whitman as he dances on the stage in memory of his sister, Alicia Shekerd, during Men Wear Pink.
Photo by Madison BierlRick Perkowski joins his father David Perkowski in support of Men Wear Pink.
Photo by Madison BierlChloe Erickson, 7 and Ivy Grace, 1 join their mom Naomi Erickson in support of Spencer Allen, who was part of the show to honor his previous boss Krystal Irwin, who lost her battle to cancer.
Photo by Madison BierlMen Wear Pink attendees Jason Francey, Samantha Slechta, Kevin Thompson and Rendy Francey enjoy a moment together before the fashion show.
Photo by Madison BierlJames Erickson, 3, enjoys the lollipop he received in his gift bag at the Men Wear Pink event.
Photo by Madison BierlDoug Whitman and Joey Saviano wear shirts to honor Alicia Shekerd, who died in June after a 17-month battle with breast cancer.
Photo by Madison BierlLeslie Whitman has a tattoo in remembrance of her daughter Alicia Shekerd, who died in June from breast cancer.
Photo by Madison BierlJoy Mclean is co-chair of Men Wear Pink alongside Blake Fitzpatrick.
Photo by Madison BierlArtemis is a volunteer dog from Sarasota Memorial Hospital who brings joy and comfort to patients every day.
Photo by Madison BierlRich Carroll has been involved in Men Wear Pink for four years. He is joined on stage by 2-year-old Creed Carroll and 4-year-old Ruth Carroll.
Photo by Madison BierlSammy Lynch has been an ambassador for Men Wear Pink for seven years. He is wearing a Robert Graham limited edition jacket called the "Grand Entrance."
Photo by Madison BierlJustin Whitman, in his baby pink Vineyard Vines shirt, danced on stage at the Mall at University Town Center in honor of his late sister Alicia Shekerd, who died in June at the age of 32 of stage four metastatic breast cancer.
Holding a pink rose in his hand, he made his way into the crowd, moving toward his mother Leslie Whitman, who has a tattoo in honor of Alicia, with the breast cancer symbol and the dates her life started and ended. They shared a hug, with tears in Leslie’s eyes.
“Justin and his family are here in her memory and supporting her tonight,” said Allison Imre Perkowski, who acted as the master of ceremonies for the Men Wear Pink Fashion Show Sept. 13. “Justin shares her fight with others in support of the American Cancer Society, because more research is needed and better treatments are out there.”
Jason Francey attended the event while thinking of his mother Dawn who had breast cancer in 2020. After she had a double vasectomy, Jason stayed with her to care for her.
“There's so many different people who are affected, and I'm glad to see that there's a male presence that supports it,” Jason Francey said.
“It's an amazing group of guys, and many of them have been doing it for years,” said DeeAnne de Spirlet, the senior development manager of American Cancer Society. “We have veterans and we've got newbies, but some people have been doing it for five, six, or seven years.”
Men Wear Pink is a national campaign with the goal to raise funds and awareness to help in the fight against breast cancer. As a nation, they raised over $11 million. The Sarasota-Manatee team contributed more than $255,000.
